Oldest Newspaper UK: The Real History Behind Britain’s First Papers

When you think of the oldest newspaper UK, a printed news publication that has survived for centuries, often tied to the rise of public information and political discourse in Britain. Also known as the first English-language newspaper, it’s not just about age—it’s about continuity, influence, and how news shaped a nation. The answer isn’t as simple as picking one paper. The London Gazette, the official public record of the British government since 1665 holds the crown for oldest surviving official newspaper. But if you’re looking for the oldest continuous publication aimed at the public, that title goes to Berrow's Worcester Journal, a local paper that started printing in 1690 and never missed an issue. And then there’s the Belfast News Letter, founded in 1737, still running today as the oldest continuously published newspaper in the UK. Each one tells a different part of the story.

Why does this matter? Because these papers weren’t just reporting news—they were building the idea of public accountability. The London Gazette began as a government bulletin, sharing royal decrees and military updates. Berrow’s, on the other hand, gave farmers, shopkeepers, and tradespeople in Worcestershire real-time info about prices, auctions, and local court cases. The Belfast News Letter kept a northern population informed during wars, rebellions, and political upheavals. These weren’t flashy tabloids. They were tools of survival, connection, and control. And they survived because people needed them. Even as radio, TV, and the internet changed how we get news, these papers held on—not because they were perfect, but because they were trusted.

Today, you won’t find many people reading these papers on paper. But their legacy lives on in every news alert, every headline, every fact-checked article. The structure they created—the daily update, the local focus, the official record—is still the backbone of modern journalism. If you’re curious about where your news comes from, start here. The oldest newspaper UK isn’t just a relic. It’s the root of everything you read now. Below, you’ll find deep dives into each of these historic papers, what made them different, and how they shaped the way Britain understands its own story.